JP7427714B2 - Warehouse management system and storage container transportation control method - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD This application relates to a warehouse management system, and more particularly to a warehouse management system for transporting storage containers.

With the rapid development of electronic commerce, online shopping has become common for consumers, thus creating warehouse management problems for stores responsible for temporary storage of cargo. In many stores, online shopping shipments are seen stacked on the floor or shelves, and when consumers go to the store to pick up their shipments, store staff spend a lot of time searching for consumers' shipments. It is also necessary and not convenient for both stores and consumers.

One embodiment of the present application includes a storage shelf provided above a store space for storing a plurality of storage containers, and a storage shelf connected to the storage shelf for transporting the storage containers between an initial position and the storage shelf. a lifting device including a lifting platform; a photographing device provided within the lifting device for photographing the internal space of the storage container to generate image data; and a processor and a memory communicably connected to the lifting table and the photographing device. a server including the device, the imaging device transmits image data to the server, and the processor determines the remaining capacity of the internal space based on the image data and determines the remaining capacity of the storage container based on the remaining capacity. To provide a warehouse management system that creates recording capacity data and stores it in a memory device.

Another embodiment of the present application photographs the internal spaces of each of a plurality of storage containers one by one, determines the remaining capacity of the internal space, and records the remaining capacity of each of the storage containers based on the remaining capacity. a maintenance step comprising: creating capacity data; and creating weight data that measures the weight of each of the storage containers one by one and records the weight of each of the storage containers based on the weight; transporting a first storage container of the containers from a storage shelf to an initial location; and scanning a barcode or image on the first cargo to obtain first cargo data including personal data of a first consumer. and creating binding data recording a correspondence between the first consumer and the first storage container transported to the initial location based on the first cargo data; After the storage container is transported from the storage shelf to the initial position, the interior space of the first storage container in which the first cargo is stored is photographed to create capacity data that records the remaining capacity of the first storage container. and after transporting the first storage container from the storage shelf to the initial position, weighing the first storage container in which the first cargo is stored and recording the weight of the first storage container. a step of photographing the interior space of the first storage container to measure the weight of the first storage container, and then transporting the first storage container from the initial position to the storage shelf; Provided is a transportation control method for a storage container comprising:

The warehouse management system and storage container transportation control method store cargo on storage shelves using a lifting device, better manage cargo storage using a photographing device, a weighing device, and a scanning device, and further appropriately adjust the capacity of the storage container. It also improves the efficiency when consumers receive the cargo later, and the efficiency when the consumer receives the cargo and the store staff returns the product.

The following is a description of the accompanying drawings to make the above and other objects, features, advantages, and embodiments of the present disclosure more clear and understandable.
1 is a schematic diagram of a warehouse management system according to some embodiments of the present application; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a warehouse management system according to some embodiments of the present application; FIG. 1 is a local schematic diagram of a warehouse management system according to some embodiments of the present application; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of transmitting signals between elements of a warehouse management system according to some embodiments of the present application; FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for controlling transportation of storage containers according to some embodiments of the present application. 3 is a flowchart of a method for controlling transportation of storage containers according to some embodiments of the present application. 3 is a flowchart of a method for controlling transportation of storage containers according to some embodiments of the present application. 3 is a flowchart of a method for controlling transportation of storage containers according to some embodiments of the present application.

Hereinafter, examples will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the examples provided are not intended to limit the scope covered by the present disclosure, and descriptions of structural operations may refer to the order of execution. Although not intended to be limiting, any structure in which elements are recombined or devices having equivalent effects are within the scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not drawn to scale. For ease of understanding, in the following description, the same or similar elements will be given the same reference numerals.

Terms used throughout the specification and in the claims generally have their common meanings as used in the art and in the subject matter disclosed herein, unless otherwise specified.

As used herein, "comprising," "comprising," "having," and similar terms are used to refer to the described features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but not to the extent described. This does not exclude the inclusion of one or more additional features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or combinations thereof. Also, in the text, the term "and/or" as used below includes any combination of one or more of the related listed items.

In the text, when one element is described as being "connected" or "electrically connected" to another element, it means that one element is directly connected to or directly electrically connected to another element. There may be additional elements between the two elements, and one element may be indirectly or electrically connected to another element. Terms such as "first", "second", etc. used in the text to describe different elements are only used to distinguish between elements or operations that are described with the same technical terminology. It's nothing more than that.

One embodiment of the present application provides a warehouse management system. Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a schematic diagram of a warehouse management system 100 according to some embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the warehouse management system 100 is placed in a store including a floor FLR, a ceiling CEL, and a store space STO. The store space STO is located between the floor FLR and the ceiling CEL, and is the main activity area for store staff and consumers. A store space STO is provided with a counter COU, which is an area where store personnel serve consumers in the store, and in some embodiments, the point of sale device 110 and the scanning device 112 are It is provided in the counter COU. In some embodiments, the point of sale device 110 is a computer host used as a point of sales (POS) or cash register, and the scanning device 112 scans, for example, the recipient's name and contact information. It is used to scan the barcode or image on the shipment (for example, shipments A1 and A2 in FIG. 1) to capture shipment-related information such as the last three digits of the destination phone number and date of arrival. In some embodiments, scanning device 112 is connected to point of sale device 110.

In some embodiments, the warehouse management system 100 mainly includes a lifting device 120 and a storage shelf 130 connected to the lifting device 120. The lifting device 120 is provided in the store space STO, extends upward from the floor FLR, and is connected to the storage shelf 130. The storage shelf 130 is provided above the store space STO and is close to the ceiling CEL. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the storage shelves 130 are supported by columns PIL perpendicular to the floor FLR so that they can withstand a large amount of weight. The number of pillar PILs in FIG. Supports storage shelves 130. In a different embodiment, the storage shelves 130 are not supported by the pillars PIL, but are directly connected to the ceiling CEL, thereby being fixed above the store space STO. The warehouse management system 100 transports the cargo upward by the lifting device 120 and stores the cargo in the storage shelf 130 in order to avoid the cargo from being piled up in the store space STO.

In some embodiments, a storage shelf 130 is provided above the store space STO, and the storage shelf 130 is provided with a plurality of storage compartments 132. The storage compartment 132 is used to store a storage container 140, and there is a correspondence between the storage compartment 132 and the storage container 140. In some embodiments, one storage compartment 132 is used to store only one storage container 140, corresponding to one storage container 140. In different embodiments, one storage compartment 132 may be used to store multiple storage containers 140 , corresponding to multiple storage containers 140 .

In some embodiments, the lifting device 120 includes a lifting platform 122 for mounting the storage container 140 and transporting the storage container 140 between the initial position and the storage shelf 130. The storage container 140 is used to store cargo (eg, cargo A1, A2). In some embodiments, the storage container 140 includes a lid that allows the storage container 140 to be later stored in the storage compartment 132 of the storage shelf 130 after an employee places the plurality of shipments into the storage container 140. To ensure, you can check whether the lid can be closed. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 together, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a warehouse management system 100 according to some embodiments of the present application. FIG. 1 illustrates a case where the lifting platform 122 has not yet started to operate, and FIG. 2 illustrates a case where the storage container 140 is lifted onto the storage shelf 130 after the lifting platform 122 has operated. In FIG. 1, the lift platform 122 is in a lower initial position, making it easier for the clerk to place the cargo into the storage container 140. In FIG. 2, the lift platform 122 is at a higher position and is aligned with the height of the storage shelf 130 to facilitate later storage of the storage container 140 in the storage compartment 132.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the warehouse management system 100 is connected to the lift platform 122 to weigh the storage containers 140 one by one as cargo is placed into the storage containers 140. A weighing device 124 is included. In some embodiments, the warehouse management system 100 includes a photographing device 126, which is mounted on the lifting device 120 and, as shown in FIG. It is used to photograph 140 interior spaces one by one. In some embodiments, warehouse management system 100 includes a control interface 128 for controlling lift platform 122 by a store employee to lift and store storage containers 140 onto storage shelves 130. Hereinafter, each element of the storage shelf 130 and the lifting device 120 and its operation will be described in detail.

In some embodiments, the warehouse management system 100 includes a transport device 134 for moving and transporting the storage container 140 on the storage shelf 130 such that when the lifting platform 122 lifts the storage container 140 onto the storage shelf 130 ( That is, in the case shown in FIG. 2), the storage container 140 is transported by the transport device 134 to a specific storage compartment 132 for storage. In some embodiments, the transport device 134 further transports storage containers 140 stored in the storage compartment 132 from the storage compartment 132 to the elevator platform 122 to facilitate transportation of the storage containers 140 downward by the elevator platform 122. Used for transportation. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transport device 134 can be mounted on and movable with the frame 136. In some embodiments, a frame 136 is provided connected to the storage shelf 130 and is used to move the transport device 134 over the storage shelf 130. In some embodiments, frame 136 is used as a rail for transport device 134 to move over platform 122 and between different storage compartments 132. In some embodiments, the frame 136 is not connected to the storage shelf 130 and is fixed directly to the ceiling CEL.

Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a local schematic diagram of a warehouse management system 100 according to some embodiments of the present application. To explain how the storage compartments 132 of FIGS. 1 and 2 are provided on the storage shelves 130 and to explain how the transport device 134 transports the storage containers 140 of FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 3 mainly illustrates the elements located in the storage shelf 130. For clarity of the drawing, FIG. 3 omits elements in the warehouse management system 100, such as the frame 136, which is the moving rail of the transport device 134. In some embodiments, the frame 136 has rectangular rails that pass above the platform 122 and in front of each storage compartment 132, e.g., the corners of the rectangular rails are located above the platform 122. , one long side of the rectangular rail corresponds to the storage compartments 132a, 132b, 132c in FIG. 3, and the other long side of the rectangular rail corresponds to the storage compartments 132d, 132e, 132f in FIG. The above embodiments are not intended to limit the frame 136 of the present application, and the frame 136 in different embodiments may allow the transport device 134 to transport storage containers 140 between the lifting platform 122 and the storage compartment 132. They may have different structures.

In FIG. 3, storage compartments 132a, 132b, 132c, 132d, 132e, 132f are the same storage compartments as storage compartment 132 in FIGS. 1 and 2, and storage containers 140a, 140b, 140c, 140d, 140e, 14Of are This is the same storage container as storage container 140 in FIGS. 1 and 2. After the lifting platform 122 lifts the storage container 140 onto the storage shelf 130 as shown in FIG. 2, the transport device 134 clips and stores the storage container 140 in the corresponding storage compartment 132. In FIG. 3, the transport device 134 clamps the storage container 140a lifted onto the storage shelf 130 by the lifting platform 122 and prepares to transport the storage container 140a to the corresponding storage compartment 132a. Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, storage container 140a corresponds to storage compartment 132a, storage container 140b corresponds to storage compartment 132b, storage container 140c corresponds to storage compartment 132c, and storage container 140d corresponds to storage compartment 132a. , storage container 140e corresponds to storage compartment 132e, and storage container 140f corresponds to storage compartment 132f. In other words, storage container 140a is always stored in storage compartment 132a, and storage containers 140b, 140c, 140d, 140e, 140f are similarly stored only in their respective storage compartments 132.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a schematic diagram of transmitting signals between elements of warehouse management system 100 according to some embodiments of the present application. The warehouse management system 100 includes a server 150 that receives data or signals from a plurality of elements, and further controls the lifting platform 122 and the transport device 134 to transport the storage containers 140. Server 150 includes a processor 152 and a memory device 154. In some embodiments, the server 150 is a computer host and is not located in the store space STO shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 because it is managed by the company operating the store. Server 150 is communicatively connected to scanning device 112 , imaging device 126 , weighing device 124 , control interface 128 , point of sale device 110 , elevator platform 122 , and transport device 134 . each of the warehouse management system 100 in different processes (e.g., a process in which a store stores cargo in a warehouse, a process in which a consumer goes to a store to pick up a cargo, a process in which a store returns cargo that has not been received by a consumer, etc.) Signal transmission between elements is explained in detail in the following paragraphs.

The operation and signal transmission of each element of the warehouse management system 100 in the process of a store storing (ie receiving) cargo in a warehouse will be described below. Please refer to FIG. When a freight forwarder (e.g., a logistics company) transports a consumer's shipment to a store, the store clerk first scans the barcode or image on the shipment with the scanning device 112 to identify the consumer corresponding to this shipment. Capture shipment-related data such as consumer name, consumer phone number and/or date of arrival. In some embodiments, the scanning device 112 scans images on the shipment to directly obtain data such as the consumer's name and/or the consumer's phone number. In some embodiments, scanning device 112 scans a barcode on the shipment and transmits the barcode to server 150 for decoding, such as the name of the consumer of the shipment and/or the consumer's phone number. Get the data. After scanning the cargo, the clerk places the cargo into storage container 140. For example, in FIG. 1, cargo A1 has already been placed in storage container 140, and cargo A2 is scanned by scanning device 112 before being placed into storage container 140 by a store clerk.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, when the scanning device 112 scans the barcode or image on the shipment, it scans the shipment data D1 (i.e., consumer's name, consumer's phone number, and/or arrival date, etc.) and transmits the cargo data D1 to the server 150, and the processor 152 of the server 150 creates binding data D2 based on the cargo data D1 and stores the binding data D2 in the memory device 154. The binding data D2 records the correspondence between the consumer and the storage container 140 that stores the cargo. For example, the consumer corresponding to the cargo A1 in FIG. 1 is bound to the storage container 140 that stores the cargo A1. Since the cargo A2 in FIG. 2 is also placed in the storage container 140, the consumer corresponding to the cargo A2 is also bound to the storage container 140 that stores the cargo A2. In other words, the binding data D2 records in which storage container 140 the goods purchased by a particular consumer are stored. In a subsequent process, the binding data D2 may be used to quickly recognize in which storage container 140 the consumer's cargo or cargo is stored when the consumer receives the cargo; If the newly arrived cargo is stored in a storage container 140 with other corresponding consumer cargo at the time of arrival, the same consumer's cargo can be concentrated in the same storage container 140 and the consumer can receive the cargo later. To increase time efficiency, the warehouse management system 100 may select the particular storage container 140 to store the newly arrived cargo. In some embodiments, binding data D2 also records the arrival date of all cargo stored in storage container 140 based on cargo data D1.

Referring back to FIG. 1, when the store clerk puts cargo into the storage container 140, the photographing device 126 photographs the interior space of the storage container 140. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the imaging device 126 generates image data D3 (for example, digital data of an internal image of the storage container 140) after photographing the internal space of the storage container 140, and also generates the image data D3. The image data is transmitted to the server 150, and the processor 152 of the server 150 determines the remaining capacity of the internal space of the storage container 140 based on the image data D3. Specifically, in some embodiments, processor 152 recognizes the length, width, and height of cargo A1 in storage container 140 shown in FIG. 1 based on image data D3 by an associated image analysis application program; The volume of the cargo A1 (ie, equal to the product of the length, width, and height of the cargo A1) is calculated. In some embodiments, since the memory device 154 includes volume data of the storage container 140, the remaining capacity of the storage container 140 can be determined by subtracting the volume of the cargo A1 from the volume of the storage container 140. Subsequently, the processor 152 creates capacity data D4 based on the remaining capacity, and further stores the capacity data D4 in the memory device 154. Capacity data D4 records the remaining capacity of storage container 140.

Referring again to FIG. 1, when the store clerk places cargo into the storage container 140, the weighing device 124 measures the weight W of the storage container 140. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, after measuring the weight W of the storage container 140, the weighing device 124 transmits the weight W to the server 150, and the processor 152 of the server 150 generates weight data D5 based on the weight W. At the same time, the weight data D5 is stored in the memory device 154. Weight data D5 records the weight W of each storage container 140.

In other words, the warehouse management system 100 uses the imaging device 126 and the weighing device 124 to record the remaining capacity and weight W of the storage container 140 when cargo is placed in the storage container 140. The order of both the process of photographing the internal space of the storage container 140 by the photographing device 126 and the process of measuring the weight W of the storage container 140 by the weighing device 124 can be adjusted freely, and the present application Please note that there are no restrictions. Note that, for example, when the cargo A2 in FIG. and transmits the related data to the server 150 to update the capacity data D4 and weight data D5 in the server 150.

After the photographing device 126 photographs the interior space of the storage container 140 and the weighing device 124 measures the weight W of the storage container 140, the clerk discovers that there is no space in the storage container 140 to accommodate more cargo. , a basket exchange command is input to the control interface 128 of the lifting device 120, and the lifting platform 122 and the transport device 134 transport the filled storage container 140 to the storage shelf 130 for storage, and further store the subsequent cargo. It may be controlled to take another storage container 140 from the storage shelf 130. In some embodiments, the control interface 128 is a touch panel or a display device with an input interface, such as a keyboard or buttons, so that it can be used to receive basket exchange commands provided by a store clerk. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the control interface 128 receives a basket exchange command (not shown), it transmits a basket exchange signal S1 to the server 150, and the server 150 indicates that the elevator platform 122 A lift signal S2 is transmitted to the lifting platform 122 to lift the storage rack 140 from the initial position to the storage shelf 130. Subsequently, when the storage container 140 is lifted onto the storage shelf 130, the server 150 also transmits a storage signal S3 to the transport device 134 so that the transport device 134 transports the storage container 140 to the corresponding storage compartment 132. do. The warehouse management system 100 lifts the storage container 140 in the initial position onto the storage shelf 130 by the above-described signal transmission and operation of the elements, and further, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. It can be transported and stored in storage compartment 132a.

After storing the storage containers 140 in which cargo is stored in the storage compartment 132, the server 150 further allows the transport device 134 to transport one storage container 140 to the lifting platform 122 of the lifting device 120, as shown in FIG. The basket picking signal S4 is transmitted to the conveyance device 134 so as to do so. Subsequently, the server 150 further transmits a lowering signal S5 to the elevator platform 122 so that the elevator platform 122 transports the storage container 140 downward to the initial position. See FIG. 3, for example, in one embodiment, the transport device 134 stores the storage container 140a in the storage compartment 132a and then moves the storage container 140a to the storage compartment 132b based on the basket picking signal S4 transmitted from the server 150. After the transport device 134 transports the storage container 140b to the elevator platform 122, the elevator platform 122 uses the descending platform 122 to make it easier for the clerk to stuff the cargo into the storage container 140b. The storage container 140b is transported downward to the initial position based on the signal S5.

It should be noted that in the above embodiments, the warehouse management system 100 storing storage container 140a and then selecting storage container 140b as the next container for cargo storage is exemplary only. In different embodiments, the warehouse management system 100 generates the basket picking signal S4 based on the binding data D2, the capacity data D4 and/or the weight data D5 stored in the memory device 154 of the server 150 and determines whether to store the next cargo. Select a container. Hereinafter, different modes in which the server 150 selects the next storage container 140 will be described.

In some embodiments, after the warehouse management system 100 stores the storage containers 140a in the storage compartments 132a, the server 150 generates a basket pick signal S4 based on the capacity data D4 to select the largest remaining storage container 140. The one having the capacity is selected as the storage container 140 for the next cargo storage. Specifically, since the capacity data D4 records the remaining capacity of each storage container 140, the server 150 recognizes the storage container 140 having the largest remaining capacity based on the capacity data D4, and further recognizes the storage container 140 based on the signal transmission. The storage container 140 with the largest remaining capacity can be transported to the initial position. In some embodiments, if the server 150 recognizes that the plurality of storage containers 140 have the same remaining capacity based on the capacity data D4, and this remaining capacity is greater than the remaining capacity of the other storage containers 140, The server 150 may select any one of the plurality of storage containers 140 as the storage container 140 for next cargo storage.

In some embodiments, after the warehouse management system 100 stores the storage containers 140a in the storage compartment 132a, the server 150 generates the basket pick signal S4 based on the weight data D5, and selects the smallest weight of the storage containers 140. The one having W is selected as the storage container 140 for next cargo storage. Specifically, since the weight data D5 records the weight W of each storage container 140, the server 150 selects the storage container 140 having the smallest weight W (i.e., the lightest storage container 140) based on the weight data D5. The lightest storage container 140 can be recognized and further transported to the initial position based on said signal transmission. In some embodiments, if the server 150 recognizes that the plurality of storage containers 140 have the same weight W based on the weight data D5, and this weight W is smaller than the weight W of the other storage containers 140, The server 150 may select any one of the plurality of storage containers 140 as the storage container 140 for next cargo storage.

Referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, after the warehouse management system 100 stores the storage container 140 in the storage compartment 132, the clerk again scans the barcode or image of the newly arrived shipment with the scanning device 112. In this case, the scanning device 112 generates the cargo data D1 corresponding to the new cargo again and transmits this cargo data D1 to the server 150, and the server 150 generates the cargo data D1 corresponding to the new cargo. A basket picking signal S4 is generated based on. The new cargo data D1 includes the consumer's personal data, and if this consumer's cargo is stored in any one storage container 140 on the storage shelf 130, the server 150 stores the new binding data D2 and the new cargo data D1. By comparing the cargo data D1, the storage container 140 in which the consumer's cargo is stored can be recognized. Subsequently, the server 150 generates a basket picking signal S4 to drive the transport device 134 and the lifting platform 122 to transport the storage container 140 in which the consumer's cargo is stored to the initial position. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the new cargo and the cargo stored in the storage container 140 correspond to the same consumer, the new cargo and the existing cargo may be stored in the same storage container 140 and the consumer Later, when going to the store to pick up the cargo, the warehouse management system 100 only needs to transport a small number of storage containers 140, and the same consumer's cargo can be distributed and stored in a plurality of different storage containers 140. Low efficiency when consumers receive cargo can be avoided.

In the embodiments described above, the server 150 uses the capacity data D4, weight data D5, and binding data D2 to determine how to select a new storage container 140 to store the cargo. In an example, server 150 may use capacity data D4, weight data D5, and binding data D2 simultaneously to determine how to select a new storage container 140. For example, the server 150 may first store a plurality of cargoes in the storage containers 140 based on the capacity data D4, and if the remaining capacity of all the storage containers 140 is less than a certain value, the server 150 may store the cargo instead. Based on the weight data D5, the lightest storage container 140 may be selected to store the subsequent cargo. Further, for example, after a store clerk scans a newly arrived shipment with the scanning device 112, the server 150 recognizes a particular storage container 140 in which the same consumer's shipment is stored based on the binding data D2; If the server 150 finds that the remaining capacity of the specific storage container 140 is too small or the weight W is too large based on the capacity data D4 or the weight data D5, the server 150 stores the storage container 140 other than the specific storage container 140. You can store newly arrived cargo by selecting . The above embodiments are only illustrative and are not intended to limit the present application, and those skilled in the art can adjust or combine the above embodiments according to the actual warehouse requirements and circumstances. , changes may be made and should be considered to be within the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

Hereinafter, the operation and signal transmission of each element of the warehouse management system 100 during the process in which a consumer goes to a store and picks up (i.e., receives) cargo will be described. Referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, after a consumer goes to a store and provides a store employee with the consumer's name and the last three digits of the phone number, the store clerk may The last three digits are entered into the point of sale device 110, which transmits recipient data D6 including personal data such as the consumer's name and the last three digits of the phone number to the server 150. The server 150 recognizes the storage container 140 in which the recipient's shipment is stored based on the recipient data D6 and the binding data D2; in other words, the server 150 recognizes the recipient's name and phone number in the recipient data D6. Based on the information in the last three digits of the number, a matching consumer is searched in the binding data D2, and based on the correspondence between the consumer and the storage container 140 recorded in the binding data D2, the recipient's cargo is stored. Find the storage container 140 that is Next, the server 150 transmits a signal to the conveyance device 134 to control the conveyance device 134 to convey the storage container 140 in which the recipient's cargo is stored to the lifting device 120, and further transmits the signal to the lifting device 120. By transmitting the signal to the platform 122, the lifting platform 122 is controlled to transport the storage container 140 in which the recipient's cargo is stored downward to the initial position.

In some embodiments, if the server 150 identifies that the recipient's shipment is stored in a total of two or more storage containers 140 based on the recipient data D6 and the binding data D2, the consumer may To facilitate receiving, the server 150 transmits a signal to the transport device 134 and the lifting platform 122 to sequentially transport all the storage containers 140 in which the recipient's cargo is stored to the initial position.

The operation and signal transmission of each element of the warehouse management system 100 in the process of a store returning (ie, returning) cargo that has not been received by a consumer will be described below. In some embodiments, if a certain return period threshold (e.g., 7 days) has been reached after the shipment has been stored in the storage container 140, but the consumer has not yet come to the store to pick up the shipment; The clerk returns the shipments via the point of sale device 110 and returns these shipments to the merchant or e-commerce merchant. Referring to FIG. 4, when the store clerk inputs a return command to the point-of-sale device 110, the point-of-sale device 110 transmits a return signal S6 to the server 150, and the server 150 retrieves the binding data D2. to obtain the arrival date of all the cargo stored in the storage container 140, and further determine the number of days from the arrival date of all the cargo stored in the storage container 140 to the current date, as well as the number of days and return availability. If the comparison result by the server 150 is that the number of days is equal to or greater than the threshold for the number of returnable days, the server 150 transmits a signal to the carrier device 134 to indicate that the cargo is stored by the carrier device 134. The storage container 140 is transported to the lifting device 120, and a signal is transmitted to the lifting platform 122, so that the lifting platform 122 transports the storage container 140 downward to the initial position. In other words, the server 150 finds the storage container 140 in which the cargo whose return period has exceeded the threshold is stored, based on the arrival date of all the cargo recorded in the binding data D2, and also allows the store clerk to collect the cargo. To facilitate return, the transport device 134 and lifting platform 122 are controlled to transport these storage containers 140 to the initial position.

In some embodiments, if the server 150 recognizes based on the binding data D2 that a total of two or more storage containers 140 contain cargo that exceeds a threshold number of return days, the server 150 sends a signal. is transmitted to the transport device 134 and the lifting platform 122, thereby transporting the storage containers 140 in which all the cargo exceeding the threshold number of returnable days is stored to the initial position.

In summary, the warehouse management system 100 stores cargo on the storage shelves 130 using the lifting device 120, thereby making better use of the space in the store. The warehouse management system 100 also uses the imaging device 126, the weighing device 124 and the scanning device 112 to better manage cargo storage, properly utilize the capacity of the storage container 140, and avoid the storage container 140 from being too heavy. and improve efficiency when the consumer later receives the shipment. Additionally, by combining the storage method described above and the data stored by the server 150, the efficiency when a consumer receives a shipment and when a clerk returns a shipment is also improved.

Another embodiment of the present application also discloses a method for controlling transportation of a storage container. Please refer to FIG. 5, which is a flowchart of a method 200 for controlling transportation of storage containers according to some embodiments of the present application. Control method 200 includes steps S210, S220, S230, S240 and S250. The control method 200 can be explained by the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 above. In step S210, the storage container 140 is originally stored in the storage compartment 132 of the storage shelf 130, and when the logistics company sends the cargo to the store and the store clerk is about to start storing the cargo, the server 150 stores the transport device 134 and The lifting platform 122 is controlled to transport one storage container 140 from the storage shelf 130 to the initial position. In step S220, the clerk scans the barcode or image on the cargo (for example, cargo A1 or A2 in FIG. 1) with the scanning device 112 to generate cargo data D1, and the server 150 receives the cargo data D1. Afterwards, binding data D2 is created based on the cargo data D1. In step S230, the photographing device 126 photographs the interior space of the storage container 140 in which the cargo A1 in FIG. The remaining capacity of the internal space is determined, and capacity data D4 is created based on the remaining capacity. In step S240, the weighing device 124 measures the weight W of the storage container 140 in which the cargo A1 in FIG. do. In step S250, the server 150 transmits a signal to the transport device 134 and the elevator platform 122 to transport and store the storage container 140 from the initial position to the storage shelf 130. Here, step S230 and step S240 performed for each storage container can be collectively referred to as a "maintenance step."

In some embodiments, the control method 200 further includes steps S260, S270, and S280. After the storage container 140 is stored on the storage shelf 130 in step S250, the clerk again scans another cargo with the scanning device 112 to generate new cargo data D1 in step S260. In step S270, the server 150 selects a second storage container 140 from among the storage containers 140 to be used for storing another cargo. In step S280, the server 150 transports the second storage container 140 selected in step S270 from the storage shelf 130 to the initial position by transmitting a signal to the transport device 134 and the lifting platform 122.

Please refer to FIG. 6, which is a flowchart of a storage container transport control method 200 according to some embodiments of the present application. In some embodiments, step S270 further includes S271, S272, or S273. When the server 150 selects the second storage container 140 to be used for storing another cargo in step S270, there are different selection modes. In some embodiments, the server 150 recognizes the consumer of this shipment based on the new shipment data D1 of another shipment and the storage where this consumer's shipment is stored based on the binding data D2. It is determined whether there is a container 140, and if so, the server 150 selects the storage container 140 in which this consumer's cargo is stored to store another cargo. In some embodiments, the server 150 selects the storage container 140 with the largest remaining capacity among the storage containers 140 based on the capacity data D4 to store another cargo. In some embodiments, the server 150 selects the storage container 140 having the smallest weight W among the storage containers 140 based on the weight data D5 to store another cargo.

Please refer to FIG. 7, which is a flowchart of a storage container transport control method 200 according to some embodiments of the present application. In some embodiments, the control method 200 further includes steps S310, S320, and S330. In step S310, the server 150 recognizes the storage container 140 in which the recipient's cargo is stored based on the recipient data D6 and the binding data D2. In step S320, the server 150 transmits a signal to the transport device 134 and the lifting platform 122, so that the transport device 134 and the lifting platform 122 move the storage container 140 in which the recipient's cargo is stored from the storage shelf 130 to the initial position. control the transportation to. In some embodiments, if server 150 recognizes that more than one storage container 140 has a recipient's shipment stored therein, server 150 may transmit a signal to transport device 134 and platform 122 . , the transport device 134 and the lifting platform 122 are controlled so that the storage containers 140 in which the recipient's cargo is stored are sequentially transported from the storage shelf 130 to the initial position.

Please refer to FIG. 8, which is a flowchart of a method 200 for controlling transportation of storage containers, according to some embodiments of the present application. In some embodiments, the control method 200 further includes steps S410 and S420. In step S410, the server 150 determines the number of days from the arrival date of the cargo to the current date, and compares the number of days with a threshold value for the number of returnable days. In step S420, if the comparison result by the server 150 is that the number of days is equal to or greater than the threshold for the number of returnable days, the server 150 transmits a signal to the conveying device 134 and the lifting platform 122, so that the conveying device 134 and the lifting platform 122 can return the product. The storage container 140 in which the cargo that has reached the threshold of possible number of days is stored is controlled to be transported from the storage shelf 130 to the initial position.

For details regarding the embodiments of the control method 200 described above, reference may be made to the relevant paragraphs of the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 above. Those skilled in the art can adjust or change the order of each step of the control method 200 according to the above embodiments according to actual requirements and situations, and this should also be considered within the scope of the embodiments of the present application. Please note one thing.

In summary, the control method 200 transports the storage containers 140 in a particular configuration to improve efficiency when stores store cargo, return cargo, and receive cargo from consumers.

Although the present disclosure has been disclosed as described above through the embodiments, it is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention is based on the content specified in the following claims.

100 Warehouse management system 110 Point of sale device 112 Scanning device 120 Lifting device 122 Lifting platform 124 Weighing device 126 Imaging device 128 Control interface 130 Storage shelves 132, 132a, 132b, 132c, 132d, 132e, 132f Storage compartment 134 Conveying device 13 6 Frame 140, 140a, 140b, 140c, 140d, 140e, 140f Storage container A1, A2 Cargo CEL Ceiling COU Counter FLR Floor PIL Pillar STO Store space 150 Server 152 Processor 154 Memory device D1 Cargo data D2 Binding data D3 Image data D4 Capacity data D5 Weight data D6 Recipient data S1 Basket exchange signal S2 Up signal S3 Storage signal S4 Basket pick up signal S5 Down signal W Weight 200 Control method S210, S220, S230, S240, S250, S260, S270, S280, S271, S272, S273 , S310, S320, S330, S410, S420 Step

Claims (10)

a storage shelf provided above the store space for storing a plurality of storage containers;
a lifting device connected to the storage shelf and including a lifting platform for transporting one of the storage containers between an initial position and the storage shelf;
a photographing device provided in the lifting device for photographing an internal space of one of the storage containers to generate image data;
a server communicably connected to the lifting platform and the imaging device and including a processor and a memory device;
Equipped with
The photographing device transmits the image data to the server, and the processor determines the remaining capacity of the internal space based on the image data, and determines the remaining capacity of the storage container based on the remaining capacity. Capacity data to be recorded is created and stored in the memory device, the photographing device photographs the internal space of each of the plurality of storage containers one by one, and the processor determines the remaining capacity of each of the storage containers. A warehouse management system that creates capacity data to record. further comprising a weighing device connected to the lifting platform and communicatively connected to the server for measuring the weight of one of the storage containers placed on the lifting platform;
The weighing device transmits the weight to the server, the processor creates weight data recording the weight of the storage container based on the weight and stores it in the memory device, and the weighing device includes: The warehouse management system according to claim 1, wherein the weight of each of the plurality of storage containers is measured one by one, and the processor creates weight data recording the weight of each of the storage containers. further comprising a scanning device communicatively connected to the server for scanning a barcode or image on the shipment to generate shipment data including personal data of the consumer;
The scanning device transmits the cargo data to the server, and the processor transmits the cargo data to the memory device based on the cargo data. The warehouse management system according to claim 2, wherein binding data for recording the correspondence relationship is created. further comprising a transport device communicatively connected to the server for moving on the storage shelf and transporting the storage container;
The lifting device further includes a control interface communicatively connected to the server, the control interface transmitting a basket exchange signal to the server when receiving a basket exchange command, and the server transmits a basket exchange signal to the server, and the server transmits a lift signal to the lifting platform so as to lift a first storage container of the storage containers from the initial position to the storage shelf, and the transport device lifts the first storage container from the first storage shelf to the first storage shelf; 4. The warehouse management system of claim 3, further comprising transmitting a storage signal to the transport device to transport the storage container to the first storage compartment corresponding to the storage container. The server is further used to transmit a basket pick signal to the transport device so that the transport device transports a second storage container stored in a second storage compartment to the lifting device; and further transmitting a lowering signal to the elevator platform such that the elevator platform transports the second storage container downward to the initial position;
5. The warehouse management system according to claim 4, wherein the basket picking signal is generated by the processor of the server based on the capacity data, the weight data, and/or the binding data in the memory device. Photographing the internal spaces of each of the plurality of storage containers one by one, determining the remaining capacity of the internal space, and creating capacity data for recording the remaining capacity of each of the storage containers based on the remaining capacity. and measuring the weight of each of the storage containers one by one and creating weight data that records the weight of each of the storage containers based on the weight;
transporting a first of the storage containers from a storage shelf to an initial position;
scanning a barcode or image on a first shipment to generate first shipment data including personal data of a first consumer; and communicating with the first consumer based on the first shipment data. creating binding data that records a correspondence between the storage container and the first storage container transported to the initial position;
After the first storage container is transported from the storage shelf to the initial position, the interior space of the first storage container in which the first cargo is stored is photographed, and the inside space of the first storage container is photographed. a step of creating capacity data to record remaining capacity;
After transporting the first storage container from the storage shelf to the initial position, the weight of the first storage container in which the first cargo is stored is measured, and the weight of the first storage container is measured. creating weight data for recording weight;
After photographing the interior space of the first storage container and measuring the weight of the first storage container, transporting the first storage container from the initial position to the storage shelf;
A storage container transportation control method comprising: scanning a barcode or image on the second shipment to generate second shipment data including personal data of the second consumer;
selecting a second storage container from the storage containers;
further comprising, after selecting the second storage container from the storage containers, transporting the second storage container from the storage shelf to the initial position;
Selecting the second storage container from the storage containers comprises:
selecting the storage container in which the second consumer's cargo is stored as the second storage container based on the binding data and the second cargo data;
selecting the storage container having the largest remaining capacity among the storage containers as the second storage container based on the capacity data, or
7. The control method according to claim 6, comprising one of three steps: selecting the storage container having the smallest weight among the storage containers as the second storage container based on the weight data. recognizing the storage container in which the recipient's cargo is stored, based on the recipient data including the recipient's personal data and the binding data;
After recognizing the storage container in which the recipient's cargo is stored among the storage containers, transporting the storage container in which the recipient's cargo is stored from the storage shelf to the initial position;
The control method according to claim 6, further comprising: If it is recognized that the recipient's cargo is stored in two or more of the storage containers, the storage container in which the recipient's cargo is stored is sequentially transported from the storage shelf to the initial position. The control method according to claim 8, further comprising: The first cargo data further includes a date of arrival, and the control method includes:
determining the number of days from the loading date to the current date, and comparing the number of days with a threshold for the number of return days;
After comparing the number of days with the threshold for the number of returnable days, if the comparison result is that the number of days is equal to or greater than the threshold for the number of returnable days, the first storage container in which the first cargo is stored is 10. The control method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of transporting from a storage shelf to the initial position.

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